How to Find (or Re-find) Your Passion

Updated March 1, 2016

Wouldn’t it be great if you could spend a good portion of your day doing something you thoroughly enjoy? Wouldn’t you agree that the best job in the world would be one you love? One that made you excited to wake up? Me too. Do you think finding something like that is possible? I do. I don’t think it’s always easy to find, but I do think it’s possible to find.

So how do you find it? Well, I’d say the first step is to figure out what you’re passionate about, not just what you’re interested in, but what you’re passionate about.

The quickest way to kill your efforts

If you want to kill your online business or blog, pursue something you’re just interested in. It’s true. It doesn’t matter if you think it’ll bring in lots of money, if it’s just an interest, there’s a good change you’ll lose steam and fizzle out.

Ask anyone who has built a successful blog or online business and they’ll tell you it’s not easy to sustain. Coming up with a steady stream of original and compelling content is no small task. It’s even more difficult if you don’t completely love what you’re writing about.

Also, your readers are more likely to pick up on your disinterest and become disinterested themselves. And what’s a blog without readers?

Besides, if you’re hoping your online endeavor will be a ticket out of your current, unexciting job, why trade one boring job for another?

I wouldn’t say it’s absolutely mandatory, but you will significantly increase your chances of being successful online if you focus on what you love.

Interest vs. passion

As I see it, there’s a distinction between an interest and a passion.

For example, I’ve seen a lot of people start a blog about an interest and it doesn’t go anywhere. I’ve done that myself. Many times over.

See, I’m interested in a lot of things. I’m interested in saving money, living debt free, homeschooling and making recipes containing chocolate and peanut butter, but none of those things I spend my free time pursuing significantly. I don’t eat, sleep and breath them (well, except the chocolate peanut butter stuff). I’ve started blogs on almost all those subjects and they’ve all died.

On the other hand, I spent hours and hours and hours and hours learning how to create my own websites before I ever thought about starting one on the subject. I was totally fascinated by the process. Every spare moment was spent on the computer trying to figure out how this stuff worked. It was my go-to pastime for many years and still is. When I am researching and learning about it, I am in my element.

See the difference? You like an interest, you live a passion. Focus on the latter if you can.

When was the last time you dreamed?

What are you really passionate about?

The goal is not to come up with a final business niche or topic, but to come up with a short list of things you totally enjoy—that when thrown into the business-picking machine later, will hopefully provide us with a stellar final choice.

The assignment for today is a simple one: dream.

Here are some questions to get your creative juices flowing. You might pull out a piece of paper and jot down some answers. Many of them are the same idea written in different ways. Be free in your brainstorming. In the end, make a list of 3-5 topics you really, really love. Go ahead, dream!

What enjoyable activity do you get so involved in that you frequently lose track of time?

If you were given one week to spend any way you liked (and all your responsibilities were taken care of), what would you do?

If you had to teach a class on any subject, what would it be?

If you were given a check for $2000 and ordered to use it on something fun for yourself, what would you spend it on?

If you were guaranteed a handsome salary no matter what, what would be your ultimate dream job?

What do you do consistently in your free time simply because you enjoy it?

What do you purposefully make time for not because you have to but because you want to?

If money was not an issue, what activity would you spend time doing more regularly?

What do people say you are good at and appreciate about you?

What makes you over-the-top excited, angry or emotional?

What kinds of books do you read, TV shows do you watch or blogs / websites do you visit?

What’s your favorite hobby?

What do you talk to your friends about?

What do you talk to your friends about that they get tired of hearing?

But what if you already have a blog? Is it time to re-dream?

Starting your posts off with, “I’m sorry it’s been so long since I posted last…”

Getting tired of having to come up with new things to write about?

Saying the same things over and over in different ways?

Responding to your readers in comments, emails and other social media less and less?

Getting distracted easily when it’s time to write (hello Pinterest and Facebook)?

Entertaining thoughts of walking away from your blog?

Thinking about starting a new blog?

Are you burned out? Tell me, what’s the worst thing that could happen if you just scrapped everything and started over? No one would die, I bet. You might have to put in extra work if you started over, but hey, you’re already way ahead of where you started the first time!

In conclusion

Spend less time doing what you have to do and more time doing what you were made to do.

Comments

I know you’re not peeking into my windows, but…
you are reading my mind!

Yes, guilty!
Starting my third blog and still posting to my first out of sheer devotion to… “I don’t want to let anyone down,” syndrome.
HELP!

How do I stop the blog?
How do I tell those 18 subscribers… now don’t be jealous… that I’m going to stop posting?
I know you said they wouldn’t die, but I feel like I’m breaking up with them via text or something.

Plus, there is some really good stuff on that website.
How do I download or save it… back it up?
Honestly, I did not draft the writing anywhere else.

Tips?
Was actually searching for Facebook Live helps when I came to this article because I saw you post one.
Thinking of adding video to my new blog.
Thanks for all your great… and easy to follow… help!
(… now… which website to leave in the tabs below… hmmm)

I understand! I shut down my first blog and had many of the same feelings. It sounds like the right next step is clear in your head, so I think it’s just a matter of doing it. 🙂

I would post on the blog that’s about to end and simply tell your followers that you will be moving. Provide as much info as possible about what they can do to keep up (a link to your new blog, link to your email subscription form, etc.).

Of course you can express your thanks to them as well as your commitment to them. You can also mention that you hope this change will allow you to not feel so spread thing and therefore be able to provide better content, etc.

As far as shutting it down, yes, I would back it up for sure. You also might consider picking out your best posts and republishing them on your new blog if it makes sense. You can copy and paste them in and then redirect the old posts on the old blog to the new post on the new blog via a 301 redirect (contact your host if you’re unsure how to do that).

Otherwise, yes, you could just let it die if you want. It really depends on how much you think your current readers will appreciate your new blog(s).

Yes! And, thank you, as always.
I have begun this and already feel lighter… the guilt is easing, and not everyone understands. But I have to consider change as a part of growth.
Just as I am glad my daughters are not still in diapers, so I hope my readers will find my writing will improve as I grow a little myself!

You are absolutely true. Any business without passion something which is not meant to get success. Your passion is the factor which drive you to they way you want. In addition to this I’ve seen that even if you are passionate about something but over expectation is a slow killer of your passion as well as business. Set your expectations right, slow but steady and you will see that you are able to survive with competitions.

Well, if you want to know what you are passionate about then you have to look inside yourself. Check what you love doing. What is the thing which you do and while doing it you don’t care about time. What make you wake up early in the morning and stay late until night. That is your passion

Hi Amy,
I am a mother, wife, and h.s. biology teacher. I have recently joined a network marketing company to earn residual income & overtime replace my teaching salary so that I can be at home with my 2 sons. I have really hit a wall in trying to figure out all this social media & gaining interest in what I am selling… I was wondering if a blog could help in this arena?
My answers to your questions:
1. My passions: clean cooking, working out, running, photographing my kids
2. would love a vacation to run, photograph the kids and feast on new cuisine
3. I lose track of time when I run & workout
4. I would buy a new lens, and go to a beautiful location with family to run and take tics
5. I would love to be a stay at home mommy
6. I would have to say…running and working out are at the top of my list all the time… and taking pics of the kids..

So where do I go from here… the company I am in is a wellness/health company. I distribute fitness drinks… protein, metabolism booster, & energy drink. I have never done either…blog or have a company…suggestions ????

Hello Amy, I just registered on your site 10 minutes ago, as an absolute beginner the whole blogging concept. I really like the look, and I am anxious to explore further.
i want to start a blog. simple as that, right? Ha! I’m struggling with nailing down my passions, there are some things I like, but those fizzle out, right? Here are my highlights, maybe you or your readers might see something I’ve overlooked.
I’m a 44 year old dentist, not practicing, and unemployed more than a year. (Not due to dentistry whatsoever) The frustration is overwhelming. 1000 resumes at least. The last thing I remember being truly passionate about was my dalmatian , Kassie, who I lost a few years ago (after 14 years together). I cared more for her than I did my dental education.
I’m an fairly talented writer, (not being boastful), mostly creative, but also detailed instructional writing. Love golf but I suck, love technology but’s suddenly passed me by and the 20-somethings know all about that, just as I did 20 years ago. I truly enjoy, even study, movies. (warning-name drop: my best friend produces “Revenge” and did all of the Twilight movies). that fuels my interest as well as my envy. But again, movie & music blogs are everywhere. You get the point. There are a million blogs re: handling unemployment, even if the details are unique. Dog blogs are far too common. Nothing of mine seems unique enough to post for others. Is there hope? A blog could be enjoyable, maybe lucrative, but the idea of writing regularly would be quite therapeutic. Because once the right topic is uncovered, my writing will carry the load, and since I have plenty of free time, it could really gain momentum.
Amy, Readers:
I am very, very sorry for writing such a long intro message. Thanks for your understanding. Whew!
Ross

Hello, I love your website and appreciate having such a wealth of blogging help in one place! I recently lost my archives and wasn’t sure if I should even continue (I blog for fun). But onward I go, and it must be because I do blog about what I am passionate about that I didn’t quit. So thanks for this great advice and the rest of your site, too. I appreciate it.

Hey there I was reading over this page and couldnt help but to read over many lines that was taken out of books and other resouces I have read and you simply threw them togather building a site. As you simply stated on one of your pages that you did research on one subject and brought it all togather I am catching on!!! I admit I havent read all your work yet but so far great job Amy!!! The awesome part is that you make it easy to interpret! I have this inner idea that I have been wanting to throw in a blog so bad of course I dont want to post it cause I dont want it to be taken although Im sure its already been thought of.. Its needs more of a layout I am going to contiue reading your blog for guidance But at some point I have got to get started lol all my thoughts are started to get crowded. I write them down but I find myself cleaning up papers everywhere feeling like Im holding on to junk but I know its not junk its just cluttereing my apt!!

Hi, Amy!
I found your blog while looking for pictures to depic passion vs money and ran across your poster picture. I love your blog and enjoyed reading it. I will definitely use some of your ideas to maintain my blog. I am new to blogging but I find I am enjoying it. I haven’t learned how to monotize it yet. So I am learnig.

Hi Amy,
Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge about blogging. I started blogging a year and a half ago. The subject I write about is one that I’m passionate about. However, I’ve found that I’m not as organized as I’d like to be when it comes to putting a post together. I blog about DIY and home improvement projects that I’m doing. I decided to take time off from blogging so that I can focus on completing my projects and write about them offline. I wish that I had done this before starting my blog so that I would have had more consistent content to share. I don’t like having to add filler content to my blog just so that I’m posting on a regular basis. At this point I’m using Facebook to share my ideas and pictures of projects as I’m doing them so that I’m still engaging “readers”. I’m going to read your blogging series with fresh eyes and may even start a new blog down the road using WordPress this time.

Lisa, I can definitely relate. This is constantly my biggest challenge–getting ahead in my posts so I’m not always frantically pulling things together. Since you’re in the DIY niche, Beckie from Infarrantly Creative has a free planner for download. I’m not sure if a planner would be helpful, but I like her little video in which she explains how she uses it. It might give you some ideas to keep on schedule?

I am really enjoying this series and needed it right now. I pulled back in the spring to writing just once a week. I was discouraged after working really hard and not gaining readers. I have many who keep me encouraged and that helped me to not throw in the towel altogether. Like many of the comments above, I have many interests, and my blog is very broad. It is about motherhood in general, which includes so many areas of life. I have thought about narrowing it down to healthy living, but there are so many things that burn in my heart (home education, marriage, parenting, walking with God, etc.) that I don’t know if I could stay away from all those topics for very long. Is it possible to be successful with such a broad based blog? My favorite blogs seem to be broad (Keepers of the Home, Modern Alternative Mama) so I had hoped it might work. Could you share your thoughts?

This is an AWESOME article! I’ve followed your advice time and time again, and this time is no different than before.

The list of reasons to walk away from a blog did the opposite. Those are all great reasons why you SHOULD keep going! Any of those that don’t work, make a change.

I used to blog about a few topics I just could not care about in the slightest, but I’ve made a few central changes. Now, everything is different. I wake up excited to tell the world too much about my life! Thanks, Amy!

I can’t even begin to tell you how time appropriate this is for me! I’ve read a lot of your stuff but this one sticks out. I’ve been given a gift (financially and life season wise) to find what excites me and blogging is it! Thank you for reaffirming what I believe. Do something you love! I’ve spent the last 20 some years taking care of my family (not done yet) but now I’m entering a season of new growth and I love it! Thanks for doing what you love. It makes a difference!

I would like to start a blog about caring for aging parents. Over the past five years I have watched my own parents face many challenges and it has been emotionally challenging for them as well as for me. I have learned so much about retirement communities, levels of care, Medicare, hospital stays, in-home care, etc., and I would like to share what I have learned with others and have others who are ahead of the curve share with me.

I have been dating a man in a wheelchair for several months. We just went on our first out-of-town trip together. As I was planning the trip, I searched for handicapped accessible hotels and activities, and it was incredibly difficult to find a single place where I could find the infromation I wanted. I have become passionate about ADA (which I never thought would be something I would want to talk about with other people) from the things I have encountered in dating my boyfriend. There also not many places for things to be aware of (or even sex tips) when dating someone with a disability.

I am not sure if this idea would be something worth blogging about though.

This would be a great blog, because it would appeal to a “niche” market, which would really narrow down your advertising options and affiliate marketing. This was a great exercise that Amy put together, as usual!

I have a business and web site. But recently, I’ve felt the Lord leading me in a different direction. I can’t believe it’s blogging, but that is what never leaves my mind. From this exercise, which is enlightening, I found a pattern of:
1. Teaching, developing and connecting women
2. Fashion/beauty/travel
3. Faith

And all it for either young women or women over 40! Interesting.
Thank you!!!!!

My passion in life is teaching Yoga on and off the mat. I have a sincere desire to teach to those that I am of service to, and those whose paths I will cross and will cross mine, an absolute understanding of what having a dialogue with our body truly means. If we listen to our body as it whispers, we do not have to have a LOUD conversation with illnesses, depression, and a host of other health related issues.

I am a Realtor who loves finding that perfect home for someone. I Love old houses and can always see so many possibilities in them. I have some real estate investments and would love to have more houses! If I could do ANYTHING i wanted in life,I would flip houses. Do you think there is an interest in a blog that would follow my adventures in Real Estate? I am always being asked “Hows business? or How is the Real Estate market?’

Hi Amy,
I am about to start blogging and I am finding your site extremely helpful. Some of the things I’m passionate about are healthy pregnancy, breast feeding, and the struggles AND joys of being a mom to four children with only four years between the oldest and youngest.

Ok so i’ve never done this before, but have been reading different peoples blogs & i’m kinda interested, but kinda afraid. Wondering if anyone will like what i say or want to read. I have got my passions, they are:
FAMILY
CHILDREN
SCRAPBOOKING
PHOTOGRAPHY
SAVING/MAKING MONEY
I have no idea what to choose as a name though lol. Thanks for the steps & tutorial.

I absolutely can not thank you enough for this information! As I started going through the above questions, I started to see the pattern of my ways through the ten questions. It didn’t take me long to notice that old Hollywood is my passion in movies, clothing, online articles, etc. What am I supposed to do with this realization now? lol

For me it’s definitely gardening, DIY projects, reading and cooking with fresh ingredients. There is something so much more magical about cooking from scratch than tossing a bunch of stuff in the microwave!

Amy, I found your blog through a google search. I have wanted to start a blog for a long time. In fact somewhere out there in blog land I think in blogger? I have one I started but could not figure out how to get back to. Alas….Here I am again giving it a shot. I need or want an outlet for my thoughts and creativity. The saying goes you can’t teach and old dog new tricks. Well I hope it is not true. I am going to do my best to accomplish this goal.
Oh yeah, my passion….creating things on paper, with paper, sewing new things, or altering old things into new things.

I was thinking about blogging about military life. I know there are alot of women out there blogging on this. I know from experience that many women like having others to lean on, listen to and share with. Military wives have an immediate bond, just because what their significant other does for our country. I want to share my feelings, experiences, and help with others who need it. I love being a “helping hand” to other women or men who are looking for advice or assurance. I hope it works 🙂

Hi Amy I love your site. Its really helping me a lot. I just started my own coupon blog about a month ago. And you are right it is hard work. I started couponing about a year ago about the same time my church started with a food ministry call Mid America Foods. It is my passion to help people in need. I lost my job about 2 years ago. And every time I would get out there and start looking a road block would step in my way. I really feel like this is what god wants me to do is be a ministry tool with my coupon blog. I hope you will visit my blog and facebook page. Thanks for all you do on your site to help others. Theresa Schuessler

Wow! Answered the questions on the first exercise and was so pleased with my results (I was trying to be so concise)…until I started reading others’ answers. I am so dull! But, as I read through the others’ answers (this is beginning to sound like “LOST;” I should capitalize “Others”), I realized there is so much I like to do, want to do, wish I could do. Perhaps that is my problem…I can’t settle on one thing on which to focus.
First, I must try loosening up a bit and answer some of these questions with a little less “I must get the answer correct” and a little more “whatever pops into my head.”

•What enjoyable activity do you get so involved in that you frequently lose track of time?
oResearch and write
•If you were given one week to spend any way you liked (and all your responsibilities were taken care of), what would you do?
oTake a cruise with excursions
•If you were given a check for $2000 and ordered to use it on something fun for yourself, what would you spend it on?
oFine suit, shirt, shoes
•If you were guaranteed a handsome salary no matter what, what would be your ultimate dream job?
oTravel and teach about people and their cultures
•What do you do consistently in your free time simply because you enjoy it?
oRead
•What do you purposefully make time for not because you have to but because you want to?
oFamily visits
•If money was not an issue, what activity would you spend time doing more regularly?
oTravel
•What do people say you are good at and appreciate about you?
oTeacher – Instructor
oGodly Man, Good husband and father
•What makes you over-the-top excited, angry or emotional?
oDoing or getting something really nice for my wife.
oAbusive people, bullies, rude people, inept leaders
oAffectionate sensitive scenes or words or actions
•What kinds of books do you read, TV shows you watch or websites you visit?
oReligious topics, military fiction
oDiscovery, History, Action, Family
oClothes, Home items, Transportation
•What’s your favorite hobby?
oWorking in my yard

Blogging has intrigued me for quite some time. There are a few blogs I read consistently when there is useful tutorial information (ex. photography, music production, etc…) and the host is passionate, knowledgeable and can provide more information than I can get from a features or specs list on a company’s Website. My passion is making and recording music, which includes capturing the process in both audio and video formats. Although I’m very good at this, I know there are people out there who are much more experienced than I am who already have blogs. I believe that I am capable of hosting a great blog, however, I think I would be more successful at it if I did it for for personal interest, growth, connections with others who have similar interests, furthering the cause, etc… It would not be fun for me to do something like this as a job, or if I was striving to meet specified supplemental income levels. The cost of setting up and maintaining a blog is not a concern. Lacking blog content is not a concern. I may actually be a perfect fit to host a blog come to think of it. I would do it for free if it meant connecting with people who have similar interests. If I do end up with “coffee money” at the end of the day, then I’ll have my blogging universe full of friends to thank. I look at it this way… there are groups of people like myself out there who love to make music. They don’t care about signing a record deal some day and making money. All they care about is expressing themselves through music as a part of their daily lives, even if only a small handful of people are the only ones who will ever hear and appreciate it. I’m not talking about young 20-somethings still trying to find their identities… I’m talking about people who have worked for 20+ years, who have been married/divorced, who have kids, who have struggled and made it through tough times and have reached that place where they have something substantial to express through music. We have already spent thousands of dollars on pianos/keyboards, mixers/PA systems, amps, drums, guitars, basses, string/woodwind/brass instruments, computer hardware/software, etc… We have to express ourselves musically from the heart no matter the cost. The process to do this is challenging, time-consuming, expensive and requires a blog universe of people to help fill in the blanks.

Amy,
Thank you for all the great information I do have to say that I am on information overload. I made the list and am working on answering all the questions as I love so many things I want to make sure that I pick one that will be intersting not only to me but could be helpful to others.
I recently redid our HOA website and discovered that I really enjoyed doing it. I also administer our Facebook page and write our Newsletter.
Several of the sites I have visited including yours are done on a Theme from Genesis using Word Press. I am a bit confused as to the progression of steps. The Theme is the layout of the bolg or site. Correct? WordPress is the program that you use to edit this. Correct? Than you need a hosting site. Correct? I have a habit of thinking 5 steps ahead of myself and want to make sure that I do everything in the correct progression. Any direction that you could share would be wonderful.

I’m late to this game but started this morning going step by step through your “how to build a website/blog” process. Thanks for breaking it down like this- it really helps! I look forward to reading more.

For me, my dream job would be to spend my days writing picture books. (I currently have one under contract with Putnam that I co-authored with a friend.) I also love editing (love, love LOVE to edit), revising, writing and, of course, reading! My dream vacation would be a house at the beach with nothing but books, my bible and devotional, and lots of free time to write, read and journal (my three children wouldn’t need me for a week- THAT would be a vacation too lol). Oh, and there would be no people on this beach- it would be just for me with perfect weather and perfect waves each day. And no sunburn.

Money would be spent on picture books because they simply make me happy and inspire me with their art.

I currently work in two elementary school libraries so I DO have the perfect day job for now, and I have summers off. I’m currently gearing up to have a heavy writing summer as I’m looking at that delicious free time and wanting to savor every moment!

I’ve screwed up more attempts at blogging than I care to admit. I *think* I’ve finally narrowed myself down enough that I might be able to get myself feeling like I’ve done it right…we’ll see if I’m correct once I actually have more than one post and an About page.

Nonetheless, I’m going through this whole series and pretending that you’re the teacher and it’s homework time for me. 🙂

What enjoyable activity do you get so involved in that you frequently lose track of time?
**Reading blogs and looking at pretty decor pictures, pulling weeds, practicing the piano, and writing/rewriting/re-rewriting a blog post that eventually winds up being scrapped.
If you were given one week to spend any way you liked (and all your responsibilities were taken care of), what would you do?
**Kick it deckside, go for many bike rides, read all the books and all the blogs and all the magazines, probably paint something, and generously tip the people who were taking care of all my responsibilities.
If you were given a check for $2000 and ordered to use it on something fun for yourself, what would you spend it on?
**The tip money for all the people who were taking care of my responsibilities.
If you were guaranteed a handsome salary no matter what, what would be your ultimate dream job?
**Irreverent Championship Homemaking. Also: watching TV.
What do you do consistently in your free time simply because you enjoy it?
**Research things to death. Sometimes for a purpose, sometimes for no discernible reason whatsoever.
What do you purposefully make time for not because you have to but because you want to?
**Daydreaming.
If money was not an issue, what activity would you spend time doing more regularly?
**Shopping.
What do people say you are good at and appreciate about you?
**I’m a listener, problem-solver and “project manager”, and I can generally figure out how to pull off a nice-looking space, great outfit or rockin’ party with a minimum cash outlay.
What makes you over-the-top excited, angry or emotional?
**In the above order: great stories, bullies and discord.
What kinds of books do you read, TV shows you watch or websites you visit?
**Books generally lean toward humorous memoir, YA and pseudosmut. TV: pretty much everything on CW, musical drama, singing contests that aren’t American Idol, and Biggest Loser. Websites…um. All the blogs of momminess, frugality, domesticity, blog greatness, holistic health, and so on, plus Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/Grooveshark/Pandora/Polyvore/Amazon/Hulu/Netflix and the internet homes of all my favorite print magazines.
What’s your favorite hobby?
**I can’t pick a favorite hobby anymore than I can pick a favorite child.

Brand new to all of this. Just found Pinterest and exploring. Have never blogged but bought your book on organization of time after the comments and watching your video(Nook version). Like learning new things but need it quick and to the point. I look forward to your information on starting blogs/websites. Thank you.

I love to cross stitch, I would play with my granddaughter, If I had the money I would spend my time on Houghton lake boating, what I do in my spare time is cross stitch, My dream job would be something(like blogging) I could do on the net make some money and stay home as iam raising my 5 year old grand daughter

I love your website and thank you for doing this. I find that the things that I love most and if I could spend all day doing this would
1. Genealogy (the thing that excites me most)
2. Simple living/homesteading/ (I spend most of my time or make time for this)
2. Organizing – it’s a natural gift and I really like it.
3. Gardening.
4. Sewing
5. Cooking

I have to say that Genealogy has got to be my secret passion…I could happily get lost in doing this. It’s like detective work, period reading (I love period books and movies) and it gives me great joy…about the same as gardening and sewing. What drives me each day is to move to simple living, learning so save money by gardening (growing food) and being more self-sufficient and going back to basics.

I have a question I am having a hard time with. I just started my first blog a couple of weeks ago & now I am wondering if I made the wrong choice for a blog. I went with quote’s, tips on living life simple, homemade skincare. Now I do enjoy these things, but I also have a YouTube Channel I am building up. I have 363 subscribers to my YT Channel on hauls & reviews (candles, tarts, body products). I think I should have started a blog related to my YT Channel.
Now my questions are:
Would that have been better since it’s a huge passion of mine plus I have a fan base?
Can I buy a new domain name & change the one I have now & re-design my blog?
Would using my YT name be the best thing for the name of my blog?
Should I just start a whole new blog & have 2 going?

Not sure what is best since I am so new to blogging. Thanks for any help you can give me.

I look back at this list and I have ALOT of varying interests so I don’t even know what I could blog about constantly, lol. I would love to have a regular blog to talk about stuff, but I’m not sure what.

Your website has helped me tremendously! You have a real gift of explaining how to accomplish things through blogging. Every single post I read encourages me. I have found a way to express myself and really use my passions in life.

I officially have my blog up and running. It’s a resource for people that need gift ideas for what to give others. It’s time to bring back the notion that giving is better than receiving! My philosophy is that you don’t have to spend tons of money to show people you care about them.

I am excited to have found your site. I found you through moneysavingmom.com. Needless to say, Crystal’s story and her success through blogging is an inspiration to me.

It’s really interesting how one thing can lead to another if you keep an open mind! For years, I’ve wondered what my passion could be, when it was right before my eyes. It was only through exploring what was inside my heart that I was able to see my passion was in sharing my story and helping others be successful.

You see, not many years ago I was, at nearly age 50, bankrupt, alone and living in a rented room. Since then, through determination, perseverance, and faith, I have earned two college degrees, quintupled my income, purchased my own home and met and married the woman of my dreams.

I really think I can help others by sharing my journey through blogging, speaking and perhaps even writing book or e-book.

Right now i am just at the beginning of this journey. I have selected a domain and decided to start blogging by posting to other sites. This only my second post, so I have lots to learn; and I have lots more to share.

Hi Joe,
Just your short posting was inspiring. I can’t image what you felt when all this had happened to you but I can relate to some of the worries that you had. I’m hoping
to do some blogging myself..

I thought I posted under Find your Passion but now I ca’nt find my post 🙂 I know that I want to focus on providing easy to understand advocacy tips for parents and general education teachers. My biggest obstacle is coming up with the right name.

Hi! Loving this website and all the help you are providing people with. Some things i like doing, and am passionate about include: God, my family, making out home “homey”, reading (books that encourage my walk with God, or encourage me in reaching our financial goals), cooking for friends (VERY casual dinner parties), researching things I’m interested in online (i.e. topics like decorating, DIY, saving money, simple crafts).
I’m not sure exactly where to go from here, which passions to pursue as blog content. Things I would like to post are recipes we’ve tried, house improvements we’ve made (in the process of buying a house that needs some work), the occassional deal and/or coupon, maybe book reviews… Am I being WAY too broad??

Thanks for the great tips Amy…I feel like I have so many things I’m passionate about. Entertaining, home decor, fashion, beauty , home making, gardening, books, my faith, encouraging/coaching others and shopping. I guess the key is to figure out what I’m most passionate about or a way to weave them all together? I really appreciate all your hardwork in giving the rest of us a helping hand w/blogging!

I absolutly love shopping and saving money. When i shop and can walk out of a store with things my family will use and save lots of money on it, I have more money to do other things I love such as vacationing. I love cooking also. I need to find a name for a blog to start and need to continue to read your blog for tips. There are so many couponing blogs, I’m afraid I need to find something fresh and different…

i like art /ethnic studies, i love weddings event planning type stuff, and politics themes of justice and i like music, i also like food, i love computers and working on the internet researching learning for my website could do it all day. ha!

Ok, my answers were almost all the same…cooking traditional foods, growing in my walk with the Lord, keeping my home (teaching my kids, gardening, laundry, cleaning, etc), blogging, reading great books (ebooks and regular books) about things I love as mentioned above.

Here is my dilemma….my blog is geared to the cooking side and I so desperately want to change it to a homemaking blog that would cover what I already cover and the other topics I mentioned above. I am thinking about going with a hosted site as opposed to my free wordpress so I can have more options…but what to do about my current subscribors, and my facebook/twitter links? Oh it seems like a lot of work that I would hope to be seamless.

Yes that was me! And I found a great link that explains the migration. There is a simple export/import process. So I need to buy my domain (godaddy) and set up my host (host gator) and then I can export. Questions: the site where I am learning about the migration states to use Google Apps for the domain because the info stays private. Thoughts? Next question is do I still download and install wordpress.org or is this done during the “host” set up portion through host gator?

I just GoDaddy to register domains and choose the Privacy Registration option (it’s a bit extra but worth it in my opinion). Yes, you’re right, there is a simple export/import option to get your posts and comments migrated over to your new self-hosted blog, but keep in mind that won’t bring your subscribers over.

If you purchase hosting via HostGator or Bluehost, you will install WordPress right from your account.

My friends have been encouraging me to blog about various topics for awhile now. I really didn’t see the point. “Isn’t it just an online journal for most people? Only a few people can make money, right?” Ummm….. way seriously completely and totally wrong on that assumption. As someone trained in marketing and communications, I should probably be posting this anonymously, because HOW EMBARRASSING is it to admit such ignorance?

Anyway, I stumbled up on your blog and am enjoying the “schoolin'” you’ve been giving me via your posts. 🙂 I just asked the big question today via Facebook… If I had a blog, what would it be about? It’s amazing the consistency in the responses. Apparently my friends and family have had this job in mind for me for years and have just been waiting for me to figure it out. Once again, I feel a bit behind the eight ball on this one. Everybody else figured it out long before me!

There are so many ideas bouncing around in my head for a blog that I might start. This helped narrow it down a bit (although its still broad). I’m a new mom who went from working to a full time stay at home mom, tough transition for a type A personality! I want to blog about my experiences and trials as a new mother but also the things that drive me, such as fashion, cooking (which I love love love to do) and family. So maybe this is where I will begin!

Hi Amy! I’ve been reading your blog via Facebook since last fall when I started blogging. I haven’t kept up with it and thought I’d look into your step-by-step guide as I attempt to re-start. I wasn’t starting the blog for financial gain but more as a way to get myself to make time to write. I have a passion for writing, but don’t very often allow myself to make time for it…

Anyway, I’ve discovered my deepest passion is still for my husband. I imagine that’s a good thing to have after nearly 13 years of marriage, but I’m not exactly sure how to make a blog about that, LOL. The things he and I most often talk about are our faith, our family, and our future- in that order. Originally my blog was about my faith which was awesome because it became a great conversation source for my husband an I. I’m wondering if maybe my problem with keeping up with it was that I painted myself into too tight of a corner with my “organizing” of it. I love to organize everything into neat little boxes… I have no idea how to add flexibility to my blog.

I am really, really looking forward to the rest of the posts on this topic. Thanks so much for sharing so many of your insights!

Yes, I’m working on that. I know what I want to do, but I can’t find a blog like it anywhere, so I’m not sure how to do it well… I’d like to start a devotional/Bible study blog, have you seen anyone doing it well that maybe you can point me too?

thank you for great questions on finding your passion. i am thinking of starting a blog, but with all the interests i have it is hard to figure out tyhe focus of a blog.
this is my list so far :
* gardening (veggie, herbal, organic)
*sewing, crocheting…..ok crafting in general
*self sufficiency
*homeschooling
*cooking/baking
*simple living & frugality
*family

Hey Amy! Just stumbled across your website and it is quite inspiring! Thanks for all of your transparency and hard work! You really are an inspiration.

My husband and I really want to start blogging together. He is a Journalism major (will be graduating in Dec. 2011) and I am at a community college currently and hope to transfer to a 4-year to get a psychology degree because I am interested in counseling. My husband is an EXCELLENT writer and we both have lots of interests. My husband is interested in music and movies; he writes great reviews and I like frugal living, photography and inspirational things. We are both interested in traveling, adventure, the outdoors, other cultures, food/restaurants, non-profits and being generous, especially to people in third-world countries.

We are trying our best to figure out what our blog needs to be focused on and we are very torn between all of these different things. Do you have any tips on what to do? Like I said, we both want to blog together. Right now on our blog we have 6 different categories to post in and really need to find our “niche” I guess. Any tips would be great!

Also, a little more background on us; we are 21 and 24 years old, been married for 4 years in July and we both just lost our jobs last month so we have plenty of time to work on something that we both enjoy: writing! We are also going to be moving from Kentucky to Oregon this year once our house sells. We are still madly in love and love Jesus too! We really want to make a difference in the world and bless people.

Wow, Amy, after reading all these comments I wonder where I fit in. Although I love the thought of being a crafter I just don’t seem to have the patience. And, of course, I love my family too. I am also very passionate about unschooling but that won’t last a lifetime and at moments it doesn’t always bring joy : ) The thing that seems to keep popping up is vintage/antique clothing and furniture, shopping, and talking. And books, lots of books. I love to buy old books. Maybe I could be on that show American Pickers?

I just found this site, and I’m so excitied. My husband lost his job in December, and I’m DYING to be a stay-at-home mom. It makes me sick to go to work everyday, and I know that’s not a way to live. I’m working on contentment where I’m at, but I also want to strive to stay home.

My passions:
Children
Cooking
Being open to new things and following God’s will (ie: how we chose to…. do natural family planning, use cloth diapers, eat whole foods, get our baby to sleep through the night, praying/being thankful for blessings, use love & logic parenting…)

I would love to start a blog, but never knew how. I’m excited to read through this.

Also, my husband is an avid duck hunter. Do you think there would be an interested for a block about hunting out there? Do guys really get that info reading blogs???

After answering all those thought-provoking questions, I realized that my passion is writing, reading, researching, traveling and social media. I am just starting to revamp my blog so that I can attempt to make money doing what I love. One of the ideas I have about my niche is working to be a Proverbs 31 woman whether your married or not. I love digging into the Bible and then sharing what I learn. I love sharing my own personal experiences when it comes to living the Proverbs 31 lifestyle as well as give a platform to other women to share theirs.

You have a fantastic blog here… I have been here for hours just reading page after page. 😉 Thank you so much for sharing what you have learned.

Amy,
I started my blog a while back. The main focus is that I will be turning 30 in a year and a few months and am trying to complete a list of 30 things before that time. My question is, at the mark of the 30 things do I just stop that blog and go onto the things I want to focus on or try to combine them together?

Hmmm…well, I think it depends on what your long-term plan is and what topics you will focus on after you’re done with your 30 by 30. If you’ve gained a following and don’t feel like you an just cut it off, I’d try to come up with a creative way to continue. However, if it seems like it’s a good time to make a clean break and start fresh, I’d do that. It really depends. Might be a good opportunity to start something with a new, more broad name. On WordPress of course. 😉

Hi there, I just found your site and am now following you on facebook and twitter.

I have some blogging experience but kind of gave it up last summer when my mom passed away. I think I’m ready to begin again. Of course, I’m now questioning everything I set up before…right down to the name of the blog. My goal is just to have fun, share my knowledge, and generate a small amount of income (eventually). If it grows beyond that, I would love it, but it is not my expectation right now.

My problem has always been in deciding what my niche is….I like your questions above. My interests are varied. I am a Registered Nurse and I have a small child with diabetes. So, here is my list:

1. medical care of children – here is a link to an article I wrote on fever management:

2. Caring for a diabetic toddler/preschooler – this is hard as it is sooo specific and beyond the basics, there isn’t much to write about other than daily life (which could look like whining).

3. Scrapbooking and paper crafts

4. Deals – I enjoy using coupons and posting the deals I get , I also enjoy passing along some deals I see online, but there are so many bloggers that do that already. I thought about making it specific to central CA (where I live)…..I found previously that if i was just repeating what others were posting, I got bored.

5. Home management and raising kids. We have 5 daughters, age range 17 to 3….however, we are a public school, don’t go to church as often as we should family….which definitely brings some blogging topics to mind, but not sure there is a readership there.

I also work and am working on my master’s degree! My hubby coaches sports and is a stay home dad otherwise.

I find blogging to be a bit of a release, a way to provide a service to others by sharing knowledge and deals, and I enjoy writing.
Do I have a chance?

Would love any suggestions you have!! even regards to name of the blog and layout, etc.

Everyone has a chance. 🙂 That’s what’s nice about blogging! Having said that, results vary drastically from one blogger to the next, so it’s hard to say how it will all pan out. Most of your topics are well-covered, but see it as a challenge, not a discouragement because there’s no one like you on the internet!

I’m so sorry to hear about your husband, Whinny, but my, you sound like you have a rich and full life! I think I should send my 4yo to spend some time with you as his dream is to be a farmer and he loves animals of every variety. Me? I’m a total horse person myself, although, it’s sorta hard to have horses here in the ‘burbs. 🙂

Greetings,
I’m gonna go a little different direction than most on here. I really enjoy outdoor activities and am passionate about my critters. I love gardening and have already been able to help others get started with their own raised bed gardens! It’s so much fun to help others see a new and exciting way to do the same things much easier.

I enjoy baking (as opposed to ‘cooking’) and like to either adapt recipes to my liking or just create new ones! They don’t always turn out like I hoped they would, unfortunately! But that’s part of it.

I also love my animals and really enjoy breeding and raising all kinds of farm animals. Horses have always been a passion for me, as any of my friends can tell you! I have raised and trained horses for most of my life and absolutely love it! They are the most beautiful creation God ever made!

I raise meat goats and rabbits to sell both locally and to processors. I’m sure some of you will have a problem eating those poor cute little things, but they sure do taste good! And smell wonderful as they cook on the grill.

I also love cast iron cooking and have started selling Lodge cast iron cookware. I believe it’s much healthier for you and once seasoned properly works as well as your non-stick pans. The cookware also lasts generations!

So between riding and training horses and hitting rodeos as I can, selling cast iron cookware, raising and selling goats and rabbits for meat and caring for the rest of the farm duties I stay pretty busy! At this time I am currently single, having lost my newly-wed husband in a freak accident at work a few years ago, so it’s not as hard for me to keep up with lots of things like it would be if I had young’uns running around too! Someday I hope that happens but for now I’m happy where God has me.

I hope to begin a blog that will help others enjoy the same things I do, providing practical advice for farm and country living. That is my goal at least! The direction I want to go…

I attempted a blog before, but I abandoned ship on it as I felt it was not going in the direction I wanted, or that anyone would want to read. I want to be able to write about a variety of things that make me, me. Such as being a wife, living with in laws while saving money for real so that we can buy a house next spring, cooking (or trying to at least), Cystic Fibrosis is a huge part of my life and I do all I can for the foundation, trying to get pregnant which I could go on for ever about our experience thus far and how it is an emotional roller coaster (I am sure I am not alone with this one), being unemployed due to the joys of the construction business…

I read a bunch of blogs, I just love reading them because someone is actually writing them, it is personal, and inspiring, mostly enjoyable. I love the tips I find, recipes, DIY ideas and so much more. I want to be share mine with the blogging community, just cannot find my go to topic! I am rambling, aren’t I, and that is no way to get the blog going…

I’m just starting to read through this fantastic resource of yours step by step. I have a blogspot blog, but didn’t realize that it would not be a good way to earn income. My thought was to start with a free blog and see if I could even build up a readership before investing in a domain name, with the goal of monetizing if I was able to get regular traffic. So was this not a good idea? What should I do now? The traffic on my blog is sporadic. On Saturday only 2 views and today 33, with various figures on the days between. I want to go ahead and start using affiliate links, but am not too keen on having ads all over my blog yet. Please help!

I just want to say first and foremost-your blog has so insired me, Amy! I have wanted to start a money saving blog for a long time, have played around with it, but as a mother, wife, with a full time demanding job as a manager of a medical facility, my dream of blogging was just a dream. But as things change and the economy has continued to turn, I have found myself somewhat pushed out of my full time job. So what I want to write about is now, truly saving money, going from a 2 parent full time income, to basically a 1 parent income right now and being able to save and realize that less is more.

I am currently looking for a work at home job, due to the age of my daughter, I want to be able to do more with her at school, etc. I have missed out on a lot of her early times. What do you think about this, a blog where saving money, being frugal, realizing that you can live just as well on less. I also want to make my blog a family blog, I would love for my husband to have a “man’s corner” , ie he is a big hunter, sports fan also as part of my blog. But I have already gotten a name and started having a web page built. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I had been looking for work for a while, when my wife turned me on to your blog. The concept of making real money with a blog fascinates me, so I decided to pursue this. As a writer, I definitely understand the concept and practice of brainstorming. So, I decided to waste no time and get right to it!

• What enjoyable activity do you get so involved in that you frequently lose track of time?

I tend to lose track of time while gaming, writing, playing guitar, and spending time with friends.

• If you were given one week to spend any way you liked (and all your responsibilities were taken care of), what would you do?

In theory I would write. However, in practice, it would be a toss up between writing, practicing guitar, gaming, or reading. Reading would be either books or comics, online and off. Gaming would be board games first, then roleplaying with friends, then video games (most likely rock band/guitar hero for most of the time). Guitar would be getting a full setlist ready, learning the songs I should be able to play for it, and mastering the songs I can already play. Writing would be writing short stories, working on my novel, working on my webcomic, and/or working on finding an agent/publisher.

• If you were given a check for $2000 and ordered to use it on something fun for yourself, what would you spend it on?

I may actually take that money and go traveling, if I had the time. I would love to see Europe, Japan, Australia, etc. and yearn for an adventure. If it was enough money, I might spend it on a workshop and tools so that I can get back into wood working.

• If you were guaranteed a handsome salary no matter what, what would be your ultimate dream job?

If I didn’t have to worry about money, I would be a writer. I would write short stories in every genre, and novels in creative nonfiction or, as I like to call it, educational fiction. Any extra money I got would go towards promoting myself or finding an artist to work with so I can write comics.

• What do you do consistently in your free time simply because you enjoy it?

Gaming and playing my guitar seem to be the two things I spend most of my free time on. Writing comes third, unless I have a sudden strike of inspiration.

• What do you purposefully make time for not because you have to but because you want to?

I try to make time for friends, and find myself making time for writing and playing my guitar. Sometimes, however, I use that time for other things, such as playing games.

• If money was not an issue, what activity would you spend time doing more regularly?

Playing the guitar and writing. I would probably spend less time on games because I would have less stress and less desire to “get away from it all.” If I had the equipment, I would definitely do some wood working, making automata to sell. I love designing things and creating.

• What do people say you are good at and appreciate about you?

My skills as a writer, a speaker, and a guitarist. I’m good with people in person and on the phone. I’m a good waiter. I work hard when I need to. I am honest about my opinions and have an open mind. I learn quickly, as well.

• What makes you over-the-top excited, angry or emotional?

Excited – When I see something I’ve written get published. When I get an inspiration to write something. When I work with a partner on an idea. When I learn how to play a tough song and can play it for friends. Getting recognized for my work. Getting to play with my cats. Watching/reading a particularly good story.
Angry – when someone displays a closed mind or a prejudice. When someone tries to take advantage of me or my loved ones. When someone I care about is a victim, particularly of a poorly designed system. When someone cheats on a loved one. When a story involves rape.
Emotional – when bad things happen to good people or to animals (particularly cats). I do not tend to get very emotional.

• What kinds of books do you read, TV shows you watch or websites you visit?

At the moment, I am reading more fantasy than anything else. However, I read sci-fi, romance, adventure, nonfiction, and others. Most TV shows I watch (and would choose to watch on my own) are nonfiction things on the Discovery channel.

• What’s your favorite hobby?

Playing the guitar, most likely… I suppose writing can also be counted as a hobby.

I am so happy to find a blog on “how to blog” because I have wanted to blog for awhile but I didn’t know where to start. I love couponing and great deals. I have a passion for weight lifting and working out in general and have years of experience and knowledge about health and fitness. I am also a recovering alcoholic and would love start a blog that ties all of that together. What do you think? I have no idea what it would be called…….thank you 🙂

Hey Amy! I am so excited about coming across your blog-what good direction & advice. We just moved to CO from TX & I currently blog just for my family & friends to keep up with our lives & the adventures we are on. I have such a desire to blog more, gain a more widespread audience, but feel some what inhibited because my family reads me daily. I love writing, photog mostly, but also travel, family topics & my babies. I have debated just running in the direction I want to go & they can like it or not. I was in medical writing professionally before kids & have a hard time just fully being my creative self & putting it out there. I get told all the time that I should’ve been a journalist or how people are touched by my writing, but it’s as if i am having a hard time envisioning the transition into the next phase. So for now it’s family type blogging. Do you think it’s ok for me to just take off in a new direction from there?

I’m new to this, and I’ve been thinking about starting a blog and this is one of the best sites I’ve seen so far on writing one. I’ve always wanted to be a journalist or a doctor I’ve been to college for nursing and I’ve taken philosophy and psychology classes. I always been interested in anything medical especially related to pregnancy I started writing on yahoo answers just to answer peoples questions on their pregnancy’s and I definitely lost track of time doing it. I was disappointed when my 20 question limit was up after a half hour and all my answers were chosen best so I’m assuming that’s a good sign that I should write on that topic. I also am interested in anything that has to do with child’s activities and where to go for free with kids. Also love the sites that show you where to get free samples in the mail. I really seem to enjoy writing reviews as well again mostly for kids things. There are sites that pay for that but I’ve yet to receive compensation. Sorry this comment is so long I can get lost just writing about things I enjoy. Thanks for this site.

Hi Amy! I have been reading your blog and trying to figure out the best way to start my own. I am a wife and mom of 2 (age 3 1/2 and almost 11 months) and love blogs. My youngest (son) was born missing his left hand and part of his forearm, and I have so much to share about our family and how God has used this and taught us so much. And, to share the amazing things that he is able to do! it’s an adventure. On top of that, I love to bake and craft. Do you think I stand a chance at a decent blog? I have written some things already and people have enjoyed reading about my son.

Hi Amy! I’m so glad I found your blog. I’ve gotten into reading blogs lately and decided to start my own. I want to blog about helping kids to become good eaters– not just “getting” them to eat, but teaching them to eat. I’m not a nutritionist but simply a “retired” teacher and mom who has kids who are good eaters. I want to help other parents but I don’t want to be preachy- I’m challenged with how to give advice in a way that people will be open to it and without sounding like a know-it-all. Since this blog is an advice blog I’m wondering if you’ve struggled with this? When I read your blog, I appreciate your advice so I read it and enjoy it- how do I establish myself as a trusted expert?

I think one of the best ways to not come across as “preachy” is to speak from your own experience. A “this worked for me” tone along with “I’d love to hear what worked for you” is a great approach.

To establish yourself as a trusted expert, I recommend finding as many blogs and forums related to your niche as possible. Visit them regularly and get involved, always leaving no-strings-attached, helpful advice. It’ll take some time, but eventually people will start recognizing you as a trusted source of inspiration. 🙂

Amy, how do I combine blogging with my former career? LOL! I know this is reaching for the stars, but I would love to start a blog on all things microbiological, as science is my passion (besides baking – and no, never together). I have some ideas swirling around in my head in regards to the blog, but I can’t think of enough to make it substantial and keep it going. Any thoughts?

So, you do think it’s possible to find a niche in something that you are truly passionate about, though not knowledgeable? Writing is really what I most enjoy. However, I am also passionate, though not knowledgeable, about homemaking skills. Some of these design and homemaking blogs are pretty hardcore, which is good! They are really informative; however, most of them seem to be for people who have that background. I have been really intimidated about even trying to do any kind of home improvement or decorating project, because I did not grow up learning those skills. My skills lie elsewhere. I’ve wondered if there are other women that feel deficient in the domestic arts who are looking for encouragement and a place to begin. I definitely need to hone my homemaking skills, and I am wondering if that could be my niche.

well, it was pretty easy to come up with what I’m passionate about. I’ve taught in one capacity or another since I was 15, my 1st teaching experience was Sunday school; my students were only 3 years my junior! I became an elementary teacher later and taught until my health at 52 forced me into early retirement. I LOVE working with my only grandchild; a 5 year energetic fella. Now, I also love quilting, sewing (NOT clothes), making things with him, and saving $$. I read Christian fiction, juvenile fiction, and how to s on quilting techniques. Does anyone have any good ideas for me? Thanks and God bless y’all!!

I’m so glad I stumbled upon your original blog and then followed the link to bloggingwithamy. I’m at the beginning stages of my blog, and I’m already gleaning so much!

I never considered myself a writer per se, and although I’m very opinionated (har har), I never had a blog idea that just took off. Then one day I was thinking about my life as a pastor’s wife – how it is so different from others’ in some ways. All of a sudden, I had posts coming out of my ears about what God was teaching me about being a pastor’s wife – and really about being a disciple; I was constantly writing in my head!

I am very passionate about people connecting with God, whether they’ve grown up in church or not (I didn’t!), so it’s no wonder this blog idea really fits for me. It’s a little backwards in your process to already have my idea and a posts posted and saved, but this is still really helping me hone what I’m doing. THANK YOU!

I have just recently considered starting a blog. The niche I have in mind is one about which I am NOT knowledgeable but I am passionate. Due to health problems in my family, I want to learn how to feed my family healthier. Due to our very limited income, I need to learn how to do it frugally. I really don’t know how to do either – my experience with organic, whole foods diets is that it is EXPENSIVE and my experience with trying to convert my family is that it is quite challenging – especially since I am having to learn how to feed them well as we go along. I don’t know all the ins and outs of what I expect to do but I thought I’d share recipes that I have used and/or created, review books I’ve read, share strategies to save money that I hope to discover (it’s not as easy to coupon with organic foods and non-processed foods) as well as share what I learn about living a healthy lifestyle.

Is it at all possible to earn money blogging about something about which you really know nothing (or very little)?

I think, if I did this properly, there would be a lot of interest in my blog – I know that a lot of people want to feed their families well but are as frustrated as I am in their efforts simply because they don’t know how to transition from their current diet to a healthier one and because they don’t have the money for a larger food budget.

Hi Amy, Since your comments still look fresh. I thought I would post as well.
My niche is cooking, losing weight, eating healthy
Domestic Chica was a name I was after.
I am latin- so I figured that would entice readers to come-
What do you think? Do you have any feedback for names that might work?
Thanks
I will be following you and blogging -I need to buy a domain

I started my blog as a challenge in frugality. I am a stay at home mom, teacher’s wife, with three kids. During the summer when he isn’t paid, we have to be particularly careful, so this year I blogged about it. I got a lot of great feedback and people asking me to continue blogging. But now I am feeling that frugality is a kind of over-represented topic in the blog world. Plus, I don’t really publish anything particular about couponing or time sensitive material, mostly just funny stories about our life. I try to integrate my love of literature and art and spirituality into the bizarre world of diaper changing and macaroni mixing. I love writing. I love blogging, but I don’t know where my niche is. Maybe the blogosphere is too full of cheapskates for me?

I want to start a blog that is real yet uplifting for single parents out there in today’s world (with a little of my Christian beliefs but not to overpowering that I cut half the world out). Life is hard, we all know this. I really believe that life is even harder when you are a single parent with multiple hats going at it alone (or what seems to be alone). This is what I love and what I hope to share and I hope you can help me figure out a way to connect it all and catch peoples eyes.
1. I love being single (though someday I hope to remarry)
2. I love my child and he is my life (good and not so good I want to share and so do other parents, we need that adult sharing time even though we are stuck at home with our sleeping kids at 8:30pm)
3. I work full time as a teacher and LOVE it! (Pre-K, work with children with behavior issues like ADHD and such) done this line of work for nearly 20 years now.
4. I am really active in my church and giving back to the community and found coupons and freebies a GREAT way to offer more when I have little money to offer (its a form of tithing and every little bit helps)
5. I am a full time student learning Web programing and computer software and securities hoping that someday I can make more and put my son through college
6. I’m all about doing something cheep but well (like VBS on a dime rather than breaking the bank), kids crafts at school, Christmas gift baskets for all the extra’s (like my son’s teachers) with the freebies I get – pamper yourself you deserve it.
7. I love giving…. love sharing…. and just think everyone has a story and lesson I can grow from. Pictures are also cool (both taking and viewing)
I want to share this love with the world not because I’m any better but because I am willing and able and the world of single parents need to know they are not alone and there is hope. Maybe its too much and I need to narrow it down, I hope not though. Looking forward to your wisdom and thoughts.

I am a recently singled mother of three little ones and I’d love to hear your thoughts! Point me to your blog.

I’ve been a mommy-blogger sharing unmonitized for family and friends for 4+ years but am considering starting a new blog for profit and sharing. I feel it something I could do from home to supplement my income.

If I leave Penny Pinching off, then it can be more broad of a topic, is that what you are saying? I think that it is a good idea. I was thinking that having too much in the title (such as the words, Penny Pinching” might make it a little much.

I am still trying to think of some things that I could do to make my blog more unique. Any suggestions, considering the topics that I have listed in my last comment? I really appreciate any help. I am such a newbie at this!

I don’t want to just focus on saving money and frugal living. There are enough blogs about that. I am hoping that the title of my blog is a good name for me. My husband is an artist so I thought that the name was appropriate. I also wrote a description of my blog so that people wouldn’t think that the blog was just about saving money but only part of it. Any ideas or suggestions? Also, any ideas on how to make my blog more unique?

Hi, Amy,
I met 5J’s (Joy) at Savvy Blogging Summit last weekend and she recommended your website to me. 🙂

Last weekend made me think about my passion, my story, that I want to share in Blogville.

I became an “accidental blogger” in January and focused mostly on couponing and money-saving tips.

Now, I realize that I want to share more of me. Some days, I don’t want to write about saving money. Instead, I may want to share my heart about my daddy, who has Alzheimer’s and lives 1300 miles from me. Some days, I want to write about homemaking or homeschooling or being a wife or most importantly–my relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

I’ll be removing my blog from blogspot due to some info I rec’d last week. Joy said this is the perfect time because I don’t have that many Evergreen posts and it will be easy to change things over.

My name should reflect more about me, but should I change it? There is more to me than just couponing.

I’m building my own blog right now and ran across this blog and am loving it!! My passions include: taking pics and scrapbooking, reading and saving! I love to save money by couponing and getting things free – I love to save time by having things planned and organized-I love to save hassles by just having a simpler life! This is what I will be blogging about! I can’t wait to get started!

I’m so glad you posted these questions! I’ve been wondering what to do with myself lately (career-wise and blog-wise). The things I’m passionate about are: Art History (my B.A.), knitting and teaching! At this moment, my blog has NOTHING to do with those things! I’m just not extensively trained in those areas. I’ve been playing with the idea of teaching at our community center or the library. Who knows if it would be worth it or not… I could find out!

I already blog about deals, freebies, couponing, etc. which I really, really love! But I also love decorating cakes, baking, and recipes/cooking. I sprinkle a few posts about those things into my blog, but I think sometimes I could blog about that all by itself and I’d be good too! I need to focus…or get another blog!?! Or maybe it’s okay that I mix it up… I ramble. I love your blogging Amy! It’s so focused!

Rose, I think adding the cake decorating, recipes and all of that would be fun to add to your blog (I would enjoy it). I see so many freebie and couponing blogs out there that only focus on that, and frankly, it can get a little stale and boring to read. If you had more about recipes and such and home stuff it would make all the couponing and freebies make more sense to the everyday life. We all want to save money, but it only makes sense if it fits into a way to live. Does that make sense? Let me know if I am being confusing with what I am saying.

I agree this is one of the reasons I love Money Saving Mom, because she shares more than just deals and coupons, she shares her life, her talents, what she is cooking for the week, her goals, she sprinkles them in with the deals. I have followed a few other deal bloggers in the past and i will admit I end up staying with those that share their lives as well deals because just deals can get impersonal.